Living near and planting trees have a lot of health benefits, but can trees help us live longer?
A cardiologist and therapist talk it over.
What does the science say about whether trees help us live longer?
In 2021, scientists pooled together results from48 different studiesconducted in eighteen countries.
Collectively, data from more than 100 million people were included.
If planting trees has the potential to improve neighborhood health outcomes, what mighttree lossdo?
cardiologist and founder ofStep One Foods
These studies, including the latest findings out of Portland, are based on observation, not intervention.
This makes a direct cause-effect relationship between nature and decreased risk of CVD difficult to establish.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
Dr. Klodas agrees the nature of these analyses is complicated.
Drawing firm conclusions is a stretch, but even if partially correct, huge impacts are possible.
How might trees boost your health and longevity?
So far,researchers proposethat green space influences health and longevity via both environmental and lifestyle mechanisms.
Trees have been proven to reduce air pollution, which is an environmental factor linked torespiratory and cardiovascular disease.
Trees also play a role in moderating temperatures, reducing the risk of heat-related illness.
cardiologist and founder ofStep One Foods
This is promising as existing research has identified alack of social supportas a risk factor for CVD.
She describes green space as absolutely essential to ourmental well-being.
How can you better protect your heart, regardless of whether trees help us live longer?
What is known with certainty is that CVD is now the leading cause ofpremature deatharound the globe.
Its also clear that the number of CVD deaths is increasing disproportionately in low-and middle-income countries.
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